Mets plan to give Neil Walker break, play Kelly Johnson

Prior to Monday’s rainout, Neil Walker was scheduled to miss a second straight game

Prior to Monday's rainout, Neil Walker was scheduled to miss a second straight game, with Kelly Johnson getting the nod at second base.

Since a sizzling month of April, Walker has scuffled badly, and it's only gotten worse as the season has progressed. Since the start of June, the 30-year-old has gone 27-for 142 (.190 average) with just five extra-base hits and a sub-.600 OPS.

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The break, which Walker and manager Terry Collins discussed in Miami, was planned.

"That's what we talked about the other day, he just needed a break, and I hope that's all it is," Collins said Monday. "Just kind of refresh and recharge a little bit, and a couple of days might help that."

For Walker, he said he'll take extra batting practice to help him be more consistent in his approach.

CENTER OF ATTENTION

It's a small sample size, but the Mets' newest outfield alignment hasn't burned them yet.

"After one game, we're not unhappy with the shift," joked GM Sandy Alderson.

Given the lingering effects of Yoenis Cespedes' leg injury, the team has opted to play the slugger in left field. That means playing Michael Conforto in center, where he made a nice diving catch Sunday in his first game there.

While Alderson said he expects this alignment to stay in place the rest of the way, he acknowledged the need to continuously assess the situation.

Neil Walker has cooled off considerably since a hot start in April. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

NO WAY, JOSE

One outfield option that's no longer being discussed is Jose Reyes, with Collins saying he thinks placing the veteran in the outfield midseason is too ambitious.

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"It's one thing to ask Michael Conforto, who's played the outfield basically his (entire) professional career, to go to another outfield position," Collins said. "It's another thing to ask a guy who's played one game in 15 years in left field, who's been a major force on the infield for his whole career, to all of a sudden go play center field and learn it on the go."

SPINNING WHEELS

If the Mets are looking for some internal reinforcements on the disabled list, Alderson gave no indication that any help is imminent.

Zack Wheeler, who threw a bullpen session for the team down in Miami, is inching toward a return, but he's still a ways away.

"If I had to guess, end of August," Alderson said. "But again, that's a little skeptical as well."

STILL WAITING

Lucas Duda isn't close either, with the Mets GM telling reporters Monday that he had no update on the first baseman.

Duda, who is recovering from a stress fracture in his lower back, has been on the DL since May 23. He hit .231/.297/.431 with seven home runs in 145 plate appearances before the injury.

BABY FOR WRIGHTS

David Wright and his wife, Molly, welcomed the birth of their first child, Olivia Shea Wright, on Saturday.